Georgia Confirms New Case of Bird Flu in Backyard Flock

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has announced the detection of a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in a small backyard flock of chickens and ducks located in Clayton County. This case marks the fourth instance of HPAI detected in Georgia since the onset of a nationwide outbreak that began in February 2022.

Understanding the Risks of Avian Influenza

HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease that poses significant threats to both domestic and wild avian populations. The transmission of the virus can occasionally extend to mammals, including humans. To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 66 confirmed cases of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in humans across the U.S., with one fatality recorded in Louisiana.

In addition to avian cases, the CDC is currently monitoring an outbreak of bird flu among dairy cows across 16 states, which has resulted in at least 40 human cases believed to have transmitted from these mammals. However, there have been no confirmed instances of human-to-human transmission.

Impact on the Poultry Industry

Once a sick bird is identified, all birds in the affected flock are humanely euthanized. This action can lead to significant economic consequences for commercial poultry farmers, who have seen increased prices for eggs, poultry, and dairy as a consequence of the outbreaks.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper stressed the importance of strict biosecurity measures, declaring, ‘As the ongoing, nationwide HPAI outbreak continues, implementing and maintaining strict biosecurity measures has never been more important.’ He further noted the outbreak has impacted over 133 million birds nationwide, with only a minuscule fraction being in Georgia, the leading poultry-producing state.

Response and Prevention Efforts

Following the confirmation of HPAI presence on a local property, Georgia Department of Agriculture officials conducted immediate follow-up actions, including flock depopulation, cleaning, disinfection, and disposal operations.

The flock in Clayton County is situated in a residential area close to a lake known for attracting wild birds, particularly waterfowl, that can carry the HPAI virus. It is believed that the virus most likely transmitted from these wild birds or from viral material they left in the environment. The department confirmed that there are no commercial poultry or dairy operations within six miles of the affected site.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture urges all poultry owners to remain vigilant and report any sudden increases in sick birds or unexpected deaths to the Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850.